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US hopeful of fair polls in Bangladesh: Bernicat
Rtv online desk
25 Feb 2018, 00:00
US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat on Sunday hoped that the next national election will be free, fair and participatory, and laid emphasis on creating conditions to make that happen. Reports UNB.
‘This democracy, this Bangladesh, has held free and fair elections in the past. People know what to do,’ she told a small group of reporters after her meeting at the Foreign Ministry.
The US Ambassador said Bangladeshi people do not need foreigners to mediate and it is up to the Bangladeshi people to participate and have a free and fair election.
‘So, can that (fair polls) happen? Yes. Should it happen? Absolutely,’ Ambassador Bernicat said.
She said all the required conditions must be there in place for those who live in a democracy in order to have ‘free, fair, credible and inclusive elections’.
‘You live in democracy, I live in democracy. So, you need freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of assembly,’ Bernicat said.
Earlier, she had a meeting with Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and discussed various issue of mutual interest.
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2cr Passengers to Use Shahjalal International Airport
The 3rd terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will be fully operational only after 2 percent of the work is completed. It is expected to launch early next year. Through this, the number of passengers will be doubled. That is, about 2 million passengers can use this airport annually.
This information was obtained from a source of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
According to airport sources, the number of passengers in Shahjalal like other airports in the world decreases during the Corona period. But the picture started to change after the epidemic came under control. The number of passengers continues to increase.
In 2020, the number of passengers was a little more than 3 million, in 2021 it was 38, in 2022 it was a little more than 7 million and in 2023 it increased to 9 million. As a result, the number of passengers traveling since the beginning of this year will exceed one million by the end of the year. And when the third terminal of the airport opens early next year, the number of passengers will increase twice.
At present, 160 to 170 aircraft carry passengers daily on domestic and international routes. Around 300 to 350 cargo aircraft are using Shahjalal Airport.
In this regard, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Executive Director Group Captain Kamrul Islam told the media that a record number of passengers are using this country's largest airport. Our range of services is also expanding. The third terminal is in the process of handover. Shahjalal International Airport will become the largest airport in the world if it is launched.
He said that at present around one million passengers are using this airport every year. That means people's trust towards the airport is increasing day by day. We are paying special attention to those expatriates who are outside the country, whom we call 'remittance warriors'. Care is being taken to ensure that they are not harassed in any way.
Kamrul Islam also said that the whole image of Shahjalal Airport will change in the next two years. This airport will become the hub of aviation. As now there are crores of passengers, in the future more than two crore passengers of different airlines will walk around this airport.
Aviation analysts say that Shahjalal Airport will become a hub once the third terminal opens. In that case, as the number of passengers will increase, so will the revenue of the government.
They also say that the inconvenience that passengers sometimes have to face now, will no longer exist once the third terminal is opened. This will increase the confidence of passengers.
Incidentally, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Manzur Kabir Bhuiyan visited the third terminal of the airport on August 24. He then told reporters that the construction of the third terminal has been completed 98 percent. This terminal has special importance as a gateway for economic growth and global communication in the country. Therefore, the remaining works need to be completed on time.
Dengue Fever Takes a Deadly Turn: 25 Deaths in Just 7 Days
Dengue is taking a terrible form throughout the country. The number of affected patients is increasing every day. Along with that, the death list is also getting longer. If effective measures are not taken to prevent the spread of Aedes mosquitoes, experts believe dengue will take a more serious form in the coming months.
Dengue patients are being admitted to Dhaka's different hospitals every day with high fever and body pain. Due to this, patient pressure is increasing in the country's various hospitals, including Dhaka. So far this year, 28,565 people have been admitted to hospital due to dengue. Among them, 150 have died. Out of this, 25 have died in the last seven days (September 22-28).
Doctors said, this time some new symptoms are appearing. Many people's platelets drop quickly. The situation has become complicated due to not coming to the hospital in time. Prevention is more important than cure.
Patients complain that mosquito repellents are not being given properly in many areas of the capital. Soon after spraying, the mosquito infestation started.
Director of Mohakhali DNCC Dengue Specialized Hospital said that dengue patients are increasing day by day from 10th of this month. Everyone has to be more responsible in dealing with the situation.
DNCC Chief Executive Officer Mir Khairul Alam said that they are working according to the plans that were made earlier regarding dengue. He admitted that there is a little problem due to the lack of councilors.
Experts say that if the situation is not controlled soon, the outbreak of dengue will take a more serious form in October. Especially Dhaka and several districts outside Dhaka are at high risk. Especially in Cox's Bazar, the overcrowding and unhealthy environment caused by the Rohingya camp is drawing red eyes towards Cox's Bazar and Chattogram.
Atiqur Rahman, a specialized doctor at DMCH said that in addition to the use of anti-mosquito drugs for the prevention of dengue, the City Corporation should conduct campaigns everywhere. At the same time, everyone should be aware.
Entomologist Dr. Manjur Chowdhury said that appropriate measures should be taken with proper manpower by carrying out the survey properly.
It should be noted that 3,21,179 patients were affected by dengue and 1,705 people died in the history of the country in 2023.
2 Dead Bodies Recovered from Oil Tanker Explosion
Two dead bodies were recovered from the explosion of an oil tanker named 'Banglar Jyoti' in Patenga, Chattogram. Apart from this, 1 more person is missing.
Bangladesh Navy's Chattogram Area Commander Masud Iqbal confirmed the matter to the media on Monday (September 30).
He said one of the deceased was identified as Shourabh, the deck cadet of the oil tanker. The body was found hanging on the deck railing of the ship. Another body was recovered but yet to be identified as the body parts were found scattered, he further said.
Abdul Wadud, president of the Seamen's Association of Shipping Corporation, said that cadet Shourabh, foreman Nurul Islam (45), and casual staff Harun were among the missing in this accident. In this case, the other body parts found are supposed to belong to Nurul Islam or Harun.
The explosion took place while the tanker was anchored at Dolphin Jetty No 7 of Chattogram Port around 10:45 am, said Md Omor Faruk, secretary of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA).
On receiving the information, Navy, Coast Guard, and Fire Service personnel quickly reached the spot and brought the fire under control around 12:30 pm. At this time arrangements were made to evacuate the nearby ships safely. However, the cause of the explosion is still unknown.
6 of A Family Killed in Sunamganj
6 members of the same family were killed in the fire incident at the government shelter of Dharmapasha upazila of Sunamganj.
The incident occurred at midnight on Monday (September 30) at Upazila's Shimer Khal area of Joyasree Union.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Gias Uddin, Assistant Superintendent of Police of Dharmapasha Circle Ali Farid, and OC of Dharmapasha Police Station Enamul Haque reached the spot on Tuesday (October 1) morning.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
In this regard, Dharmapasha police station OC Enamul Haque said that the fire incident at the government shelter occurred in the middle of the night. It has been confirmed that 6 members of the same family have been killed. The cause of the fire will be known after investigation.
JCI Bangladesh Launches 'Smile Aid' Oral Care Initiative
To support underprivileged and low-income individuals and provide essential dental care, a free dental camp titled "Smile Aid – Oral Care Initiative" was held by Junior Chamber International (JCI) on Friday, February 27. Organized by JCI Dhaka Ace, JCI Dhaka Impact, JCI Dhaka Premier, and Humanity Services Bangladesh, the camp served 1,000 people in Lalbagh.
Starting from 8:00 AM, this day-long service activity continued until 7:00 PM. With the assistance of 70 dentists, men, women, children, and the elderly participated in the camp, receiving dental treatment. Free services included dental check-ups, extractions, fillings, scaling, and medications.
The event's inauguration ceremony featured JCI Bangladesh's National President Imran Kadir as the Chief Guest.
This free dental camp was supported by Techno Drugs Ltd., Saphire Hotel & Resort, Mediplus Oral Health, Alauddin Sweatmeat & Dreamy Decor by Sanjida.
BNP leader Dr Shahadat Declared as Chattogram City Mayor
Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) canceled the polls and declared former BNP leader Dr Shahadat Hossain as the mayor of CCC.
Alongside, the court also asked to publish a gazette notification in this regard within the next 10 days.
Chattogram Election Tribunal judge as well as Joint District and session judge Mohammad Khairul Amin passed the order around noon.
Arshad Hossen Asad, the plaintiff's advocate, said, "In the case filed by BNP's mayoral candidate Dr Shahadat Hossain over the cancellation of CCC election results, the court declared Dr Shahadat as the CCC mayor examining all the evidence and witnesses. Apart from that the court also ordered the authorities concerned to publish a gazette in this regard within 10 days."
Earlier, on February 24, 2021, the mayoral candidate Dr. Shahadat Hossain filed a case against 9 people including the Election Commissioner.
In the case, the then CCC mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, election returning officer Md Hasanuzzaman, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda, and six others were accused of manipulating election results through the EVM.
It is known from the election sources that the CCC election was held on January 27, 2021, the 'Boat' candidate Rezaul Karim Chowdhury won by getting 3,69,248 votes. In that election, his closest rival BNP's mayoral candidate Shahadat Hossain got 52,489 votes in the symbol of 'Rice Grain'.
Former MP Dabirul Islam Arrested
Dabirul Islam, a seven-time former Member of Parliament of the Thakurgaon-2 constituency, has been arrested.
He was arrested from the house of Awami League leader Alamgir Hossain at Ruhia Thana of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila on Wednesday (October 2) around 2:30 am.
Confirming the matter, Thakurgaon Superintendent of Police Sheikh Zahidul Islam told the media that he was arrested from the house of an Awami League leader in Ramnath Bazar of Ruhia police station. He was arrested in a case of Baliadangi Police Station. He is the main accused in that case.
Incidentally, there are two cases of extortion, land grabbing, and murder against former MP Dabirul Islam. He is the main accused in these two cases.
